The Registration Act, 1908
Sets out which documents must be registered, the offices of registration, time limits, effect of non-registration, and registrar powers.
- Sections
- 91
- Chapters
- 15
- Tier
- Tier 2
In one line
What this Act says
Says which documents must be registered (sale deeds, gift deeds, leases > 1 year, etc.), how, and what happens if you don't.
Penalties
What happens if you break it
Making false statements / false copies in a registered document
§82Imprisonment up to 7 years and/or fine.
Non-registration of a document required to be registered
§49Document is inadmissible as evidence of the transaction and confers no rights in immovable property (civil consequence).
Delay in presenting document for registration
§25Fine up to 10 times the registration fee (within 4-month grace window).
Headline offences only — not exhaustive. For the full text and every section, open the source PDF or the official link below.
Key Sections & Penalties
Registration Act at a Glance
| Section | Type | Provision | Applicability | Details / Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| §17 | structural | Documents of which registration is compulsory | - | Administrative / Structural |
| §18 | structural | Documents of which registration is optional | - | Administrative / Structural |
| §82 | criminal | Making false statements / false copies in a registered document | - | Imprisonment up to 7 years and/or fine high RISK |
| §49 | compliance | Non-registration of a document required to be registered | - | Document is inadmissible as evidence of the transaction and confers no rights in immovable property (civil consequence) low RISK |
| §25 | civil | Delay in presenting document for registration | - | Fine up to 10 times the registration fee (within 4-month grace window) medium RISK |
Maximum punishments as prescribed by the Act. Actual sentencing depends on facts, prior convictions and judicial discretion.
Sources
Read the Act yourself
We always show you the local source PDF and at least one verifiable online reference, so you can check anything we say.
Source PDF
the_registration_act,1908.pdf
Full text · opens in new tab
Reference
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org · opens in new tab
About this Act
Quick facts
- Year
- 1908
- Sections
- 91
- Chapters
- 15
- Tier
- Tier 2